Is Membership Worth it?

For Part 1 of Membership Matters (Click Here)

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This is the value question, the cost/benefit analysis question, and the is it really worth it question. First, let's be clear, there is much to gain by being a committed member of a local church. But before we get to that, let's address the elephant in the room.

We live in a world where membership often conveys certain benefits or rights. For example, to be a member of a country club or at a gym means we can use the facilities. There are, of course, membership responsibilities or dues to be kept up. But, the reason we join is because we want what they offer. In a consumeristic world, this is how things work.

But the church starts at a radically different place. Church membership is, first and foremost, about what you have to give because, in Christ, you have already received so much. God has blessed each and every one of His children with new life in Christ and gifts of grace bestowed on them by the Holy Spirit to use to bless others. Primarily as these gifts are discussed in the New Testament, the application is to those in your local church. Of course, there are some who God may extend the boundaries of their influence, but the vast majority of Christians have been blessed with their new life and grace gifts to bless the people in their local church.

Having said that, if a church can get past the consumeristic approach so that each of us belongs to bless one another, then there is definitely much to gain as God works among us through each other. I think a simple equation will help to illustrate what I mean.

Relationship + Responsibility = Fellowship

When we formally recognize our relationship and responsibility, first with our Lord and then with one another, we can then enjoy a true sense of fellowship.

The word from the New Testament is koinonia. It means to participate or partake in something together. By living in relationship, first with Jesus, that leads us to formal and committed relationships with one another such that we actually take responsibility for one another's well-fare, we'll find we aren't merely enjoying each other, but with and through one another we are partaking in and participating in God's grace together. If the New Testament letters are correct, and I think they are, there is no greater unifying, joy-giving, peace-establishing, love-inducing power than God's grace bestowed on His people through the Son.

When we join a church, we join because we have gained so much in Christ. But, God is not one to be outgiven. So through our membership among His people, He provides leaders who take responsibility to help us grow in spiritual maturity, an eternal family through whom He continues to tangibly bestow His grace upon us, and a people to stand together with to shine as light in a dark world.